Often these days, when I hear people talking of "this republic" or "this democracy", I wonder if they have bothered to think before speaking - advice we were all offered very long ago, in school or at home. Republic, res publica, public thing or affair; but which public? And democracy? To me it means nothing if it does not function in liberte, egalite, fraternite.
Then, gan dabht, you will take from your pocket that well-thumbed volume, Bunreacht na hEireann, and read from it all my entitlements as to the egalite bit. You will put the Constitution back in your pocket and tell me how privileged I am, as an old man, to have in addition free travel by rail, road and sometimes even by sea.
Wheelchair
"But," I protest, "if I cannot use my feet and must move, if at all, in a wheelchair, where is the equality if buses, subsidised by the people, are not equipped to take my wheelchair? Where is my equality if I cannot have a pint in the pub at the corner because there is no ramp to accommodate the wheelchair?"
Thank God I do not have to use a wheelchair (yet) to get around. In that I am fortunate. But many people I know must use wheelchairs most of the time. They form one of the Irish minorities who suffer from discrimination, lacking equality with their fellow citizens. In fact, not content with denying them equality, the State makes a mockery of them when allowing them, because of proven disability, a travel allowance! This they cannot use to pay Bus Eireann because that entity's vehicles cannot or will not accommodate them (nor do so many taxis).
The disabled in this State account for about 10 per cent of the population, a significant minority, one entitled to equality - if, indeed, this State, its civil servants and its politicians, really give a damn about equality, and that I doubt.
Some 20 years ago you would reply, perhaps, that "we are a poor country and can't afford to provide for equality." That never was a valid excuse and never less so than today with the huge Budget surplus despite all those tax dodgers. Some six billion pounds.
As the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) points out in its Budget submission, the Government could go a long way towards ensuring equality for the disabled by allocating just one-tenth of the surplus to their welfare.
DFI is the national umbrella body for 75 of this State's leading disability organisations, representing some 350,000 people. These voluntary organisations provide services which, in other countries, are supplied by the State. In return, the State gives them very little financial support. This is why, on occasions, you see the likes of myself begging in the street.
Peculiar contradictions exist in the complicated relationship between the State and the voluntary section. For example, most of these voluntary organisations are forced to pay VAT on purchases. Because they are not commercial enterprises but only registered charities,, they cannot get the VAT back. The more you dig in this ground the more ridiculous the situation appears!
Voluntary work
The voluntary sector makes a significant contribution to the economy. Its work is more efficient, more economic, than that of the State. Properly treated and suitably trained, disabled people can become contributors to the economy. Treating them properly, therefore, is not merely a matter of charity, another cost to the economy, but an investment - a fact that has long been recognised by the social partners if not by the Government.
In its submission to the Government, DFI referred to the recently published study by the National College of Ireland: Uncovering the Non-profit Sector in Ireland - its Economic Value and Significance. This reveals that the total expenditure of the voluntary sector in Ireland in 1995 amounted to £1,268 million. This included an imputed value of £428 million of volunteered labour, some 2.4 per cent of gross national product (GNP). The social services accounted for some 30 per cent of this expenditure. Its paid employment that same year stood at more than 3 per cent of the non-agricultural work force. This contribution rose to 7 per cent when volunteers were included.
DFI comments: "By any standards, this is a major contribution in terms of employment, taxation and general economic activity. Further expenditure within the voluntary sector should, therefore, be seen in terms of overall investment, as distinct from a cost or charge on the Exchequer."
Education
The great lack of equality for disabled people does not stop at wheelchair access but covers the entire spectrum of living. Are they not entitled to a reasonable quality of life? Why should they lack education and training? As with the refugees in our midst, there are great minds out there, able and willing to enrich our culture. Why, then, the meanness of politicians and civil servants?
A few weeks back, Carol Coulter of this newspaper reported that the new Equality Authority, which became operative on October 18th, would be "the first port of call for those seeking to prepare a case alleging discrimination," according to its director, Mr Niall Crowley.
Will he take up the case for the disabled and the way they have been discriminated against by successive governments?